Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. The recommendation from AIAC today is partnered with one from the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters: we both made the same recommendation. The purpose of the recommendation is to mobilize and get some more leverage from the money that has already been

Finance committee  If you could speak English, it would be easier for me. I'm sorry to use your time in this way. Just a minute, please.

Finance committee  Okay, let's go.

Finance committee  It depends on which side of the business you represent, large or small, whether or not you're in favour of extending the CCPC refundable tax credit model to large business. Large business obviously would like to see that. Since the AIAC represents a collection of both small and

Finance committee  I think we foresaw the decline coming, which was why we had advocated, prior to 2012, having the Emerson report. There was a general concern as far back as 2009 about the state of the industry and the state of government programs and policies. We have, by and large, been very sat

Finance committee  Again, I think this question is exactly the kind of question we were asking two and three years ago. Once again I point to Mr. Emerson's recommendations and the government's response as already beginning to address these questions. Anyone who has heard the current president of CS

Finance committee  Replacing the CF-18s will be one of the largest expenditures that Canada has ever made in the aerospace sector. The entire sector is watching the current process that's under way with a great deal of interest to see exactly what the decision will be on how to proceed with that pr

Finance committee  I don't have the numbers.

Finance committee  Well, it's obviously large, because it's a very large procurement. It's also very large for the Department of National Defence. Those fighter jets are an important part of our sovereignty and security, and they need to be replaced.

Finance committee  Yes, I think they are absolutely essential. Our large aerospace companies will tell you that they need to expand globally in order to be competitive, and our small aerospace companies will tell you that they're looking forward to other people expanding into Canada to allow them

Finance committee  There are a number. They tend to be a bit involved, so they're probably not something I would take the committee's time with, but I can certainly provide examples of success stories of that kind.

Finance committee  Let's take the entire global example of the DHC-2 Beaver, which was developed because Canada had a north and bush that had to be exploited, on up to the CSeries jet, which is the most advanced modern airliner flying. There is, if you follow it, a direct line from one all the way

Finance committee  —with a domino effect. In that case, it answered an absolutely unique Canadian need that developed the expertise that eventually became the CSeries jet, which as mentioned earlier is an extremely green airliner. It's very fuel-efficient; it's very quiet; it is the epitome of an

Finance committee  Yes.

Industry committee  Mr. Chair, thank you. I will attempt to follow good advice that I was once given about attending these things, which is to be bright, be brief, and be gone. I will attempt to do that. Maybe I'll just have to speak a little quickly. I want to start with two statements, which I'll